College Football
Minnesota +4 over UCLA (loss)
Rotation #336 / Noon ET
UCLA is 8-0 and ranked eighth in the country as the Bruins head out on the road. Bob Chesney and his staff, who came over from James Madison last year, have done an outstanding job. Running back Wayne Knight has been impressive, but the Bruins haven’t faced the toughest schedule so far. Now they face a different challenge against P.J. Fleck and the Golden Gophers. Minnesota will look to control the clock by feeding Darius Taylor, while quarterback Drake Lindsey will take his chances through the air when UCLA commits to stopping the run. With the Bruins turning to a backup quarterback who lacks Nico Iamaleava’s mobility, look for Minnesota to win the trench battle and dictate the tempo. Take Minnesota.

College Football
Penn State +2.5 over Washington (win)
Rotation #375 / 3:30 PM ET
Fans in Seattle are happy about the early kickoff, as the weather is expected to get gusty later in the evening. Washington has Demond Williams back at quarterback, but the Huskies are still dealing with injuries along the offensive line, and their running game, although improved, remains vulnerable. Matt Campbell and the Nittany Lions haven’t lived up to expectations, but they still have a talented roster, with many players familiar with each other from their time at Iowa State. Quarterback Rocco Becht should find open receivers against the Huskies’ defense, while the running game led by Carson Hansen and James Peoples should find room to operate. Look for Penn State to control the line of scrimmage and come away with a much-needed road victory. Take Penn State.

College Football
Michigan -14 over Michigan State
Rotation #342 / 7:30 PM ET
Michigan State is working to improve under Pat Fitzgerald, but the Spartans still need more talent to compete in the Big Ten. Things get even tougher with quarterback Alessio Milivojevic possibly out and their top three running backs sidelined by injuries. If you can’t run the football on the road in a tough environment, it might be a long night. Michigan is rebuilding under Kyle Whittingham, but the Wolverines still have a talent advantage on both sides of the ball. Expect Michigan to control the line of scrimmage, while its secondary should have a strong night against a Spartans offense that could be forced to rely heavily on the passing game. Watching the Wolverines’ offense can be frustrating at times, but they should be able to put together a solid performance against an overmatched opponent. I don’t see Michigan State putting up many points tonight. Take Michigan.

College Football
Texas Tech -16.5 over West Virginia
Rotation #384 / 9:30 PM ET
Rich Rodriguez is an excellent coach who has built a strong running game led by Cam Cook. Quarterback Michael Hawkins is a dual-threat nightmare for opposing defenses, but playing on the road against one of the country’s most opportunistic defenses will be a major challenge. Texas Tech quarterback Tommy Castellanos has taken over for Will Hammond, and the experienced veteran should benefit from playing behind a seasoned offensive line. Look for the Red Raiders to dominate in the trenches, establish the running game with K’Koby Williams, and set up quick strikes to their receivers. The Mountaineers are a fun team to watch because of their fast-paced offense, but their defense leaves plenty to be desired. Texas Tech is the bigger, stronger team, and that advantage should eventually wear down West Virginia and put this game out of reach. Take Texas Tech.